offspring

noun

off·​spring ˈȯf-ˌspriŋ How to pronounce offspring (audio)
plural offspring also offsprings
Synonyms of offspringnext
1
a
: the product of the reproductive processes of a person, animal, or plant : young, progeny
The disease can be transmitted from parent to offspring.
b
: the immediate descendant of a person or animal : an individual born of a parent
gave birth to a single offspring
"… He was becoming irascible as well, impatient—with me especially, because I was his only offspring [=child]. …"— Anthony Hopkins
2
a
: product, result
… scholarly manuscripts—the labored offsprings of PhDs …— Donna Martin
… the substitution of the typewriter and its offspring for the author's own hand.— Jacques Barzun
b
: offshoot sense 1a
… you can hear this Caribbean club music, a hard-edged and party-heavy offspring of reggae …— Lorraine Ali

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of offspring in a Sentence

The show is about two couples and the adventures of their rebellious offspring. The colt is the offspring of two racing champions.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There’s a vast generation gap between immigrants and their Americanized offspring; Indian and Pakistani elders harbor prejudices dating back to partition. — Judy Berman, TIME, 6 Mar. 2025 Excepting Britt Lower’s Helena, who is coded as a child, the offspring of Jame Eagan, the outies have exhausted their arcs. — Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2025 The series premiere of Sherlock & Daughter, starring David Thewlis as Arthur Conan Doyle’s beloved detective and Blu Hunt as his offspring, is set for Wednesday, April 16. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2025 Even though Charlie did not attend the party, his offspring are provided for, ensuring that the host’s original intent of including each child’s family is fulfilled. — Ashley Case, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for offspring

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ofspring, from Old English, from of off + springan to spring

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of offspring was before the 12th century

Rhymes for offspring

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Browse Nearby Words

offspring
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Cite this Entry

“Offspring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/offspring. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

offspring

noun
off·​spring ˈȯf-ˌspriŋ How to pronounce offspring (audio)
plural offspring also offsprings
: the young of a person, animal, or plant

Medical Definition

offspring

noun
off·​spring ˈȯf-ˌspriŋ How to pronounce offspring (audio)
plural offspring also offsprings
: the progeny of an animal or plant : young

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Nglish: Translation of offspring for Spanish Speakers

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